I always have a bag of ground flaxseed in my freezer (BTW that’s the best place to store seeds and nuts) that I routinely add to my pancake and muffin batters. A few tablespoons give a terrific boost of those heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and gut-friendly fiber to baked good recipes. But that’s all I really did with it….until now!

Before we dive into these fun flaxseed hacks, here are a few pointers when using flaxseed:

Either buy ground flaxseed (Bob’s Red Mill Golden Flaxseed Meal is my go-to [affiliate link]) or grind whole flaxseeds in a food processor or coffee grinder. Our bodies can’t digest the whole seeds – so if you don’t use the ground version, you won’t get any of the nutritional benefits.

You can buy golden or brown flaxseed – both are similar nutritionally. I now prefer the golden as it seems to blend in more seamlessly into batters, toppings, etc.

USE AS A TOPPING – Mix 1/4 cup of ground flaxseed with 2 tablespoons of melted butter and use to top mac & cheese before baking instead of breadcrumbs.

USE AS A BINDER – Swap in equal amounts of flaxseed meal for breadcrumbs (up to 1/2 cup) in meatball and meatloaf recipes.

USE AS A COATING – Mix flaxseed with your favorites spices (I like to do a black pepper, salt and smoked paprika mix) to coat chicken, pork or fish fillets. Dip protein first in an egg wash (beaten egg with a splash of milk or buttermilk) and then in flaxseed coating. Bake on a rack on top of a baking sheet for crispier results.

USE AS A THICKENER – Add 3 – 4 teaspoons of ground flaxseed to your favorite smoothie. You won’t detect any grittiness and it will help to thicken your drink as well. I now routinely use it in my Banana Mocha Frappe.

USE AS A LAYER – Instead of granola, use it as a layer when making yogurt parfaits. In a tall glass, add a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt, sprinkle with a teaspoon of flaxseed meal, topping with fruit and repeat two more times.

Do you use ground flaxseed in your recipes/dishes? Let me know in the comments below – always looking for new ideas!

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MEET SERENA & DEANNA

We’re two dietitians who love food as much as you do! We're also moms and business owners who share our family recipes, healthy kitchen hacks and nutrition adventures while keeping it real in the kitchen with you.